NEWS
SUSTAINABILITY IS THE HEIGHT OF FASHION SAYS HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, CROWN PRINCESS MARY OF DENMARK
Her Royal Highness, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark made an impassioned opening speech on the importance of building...
FUR EXCELLENCE IN ATHENS 2012
Fur Excellence in Athens 2012, International Fur Fair, finished with great success, in a critical moment for the Fur...
THE FUR INSTITUTE OF CANADA APPLAUDS COMMITTMENT BY GOVERNMENT OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR TO SUPPORT THE SELLING OF SEAL PRODUCTS
"Despite all the misinformation perpetuated by single interest groups, the sealing industry remains an important way...
IFTF IS PROUD TO SUPPORT RED PANDA PROJECT IN NEPAL
The Red Panda is an extremely rare and charismatic animal living in the Himalayan Mountain ranges – it is estimated...
FUR TRADE WELCOMES CLARIFICATION BY THE UK ADVERTISING STANDARDS AUTHORITY
The European Fur Breeder’s Association (EFBA) and the International Fur Trade Federation (IFTF) welcome...
SUSTAINABILITY
Environment
In today's heavily populated world, most natural eco-systems need careful management to ensure that all species survive and that natural environments are preserved. For some abundant species this means population management to prevent damage to the environment and other species. The World Wildlife Fund and other conservation groups promote the sustainable use of wildlife and other renewable resources because this can provide an economic incentive for protecting vital natural habitat. The fur industry relies on and uses wildlife products; we have a direct interest in protecting habitat and maintaining wildlife populations through sustainable use.
Sustainable Use
The sustainable use of renewable resources is a principle supported by most governments and it underlies the policy of conservation organisations nationally and internationally, including the World Conservation Union (IUCN), the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) and The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Since 1978 the IFTF has contributed more than $5million to support a wide range of welfare and conservation projects, and is a voting member of the IUCN.
Local and native populations rely on the land and their habitat for survival. Their livelihood depends on protecting and enhancing their habitat and essential ecosystems. These communities have a direct commitment to the land and a unique, detailed knowledge of the ecosystems and species with which they are in contact. Hundreds of years of experience have given them the understanding and the experience to protect the wilderness and exercise effective programs of sustainability.
Today special interest groups attack the very activities that makeup the livelihoods of these indigenous groups, thereby facilitating the encroachment of industrial development and the disruption of wildlife habitat. Without the ability to trap or hunt and sell by-products such as skins, these indigenous and remote people will be forced to turn to other activities for their livelihoods, opening up their territories to mining, oil drilling or other interests.
To ensure that the most humane hunting and trapping methods are used when capturing animals in the wild, IFTF encouraged and supported the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHTS), signed in 1997 by Canada, the EU and Russia. The same year the US entered into a similar agreement. IFTF continues to support research into humane welfare standards for fur bearing animals.
Endangered Species
The international fur trade does not trade in endangered species and all furs traded are from abundant populations. The IFTF supports the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which strictly regulates any trade in threatened species and prevents trade in endangered species. IFTF has been a full voting member of the World Conservation Union (IUCN), since 1985.
